Gearbox delivers an impressive port of Borderlands 3 on the Nintendo Switch, offering the full experience in a handheld format.
About a decade ago, Borderlands 2 made an unexpected appearance on the ailing PS Vita, delivering a mixed reception due to performance issues. The release was notable for fitting a contemporary game onto a portable platform, but technical limitations left much to be desired. Concerns regarding the Switch port of Borderlands 3 emerged, with minimal pre-release footage adding to the skepticism. Fortunately, these concerns can be put to rest, as Borderlands 3 runs exceptionally well on the Switch, delivering the complete chaotic experience in portable form.
Borderlands 3 resumes its narrative approximately seven years after Borderlands 2, taking players on interstellar adventures with beloved Crimson Raiders like Lilith, Claptrap, and Ellie, alongside newcomers Ava and Lorelei. This time, they confront the Calypso Twins, a godlike duo leading a cult called the Children of the Vault, which has united Pandora’s bandit clans. Tyreen Calypso, in particular, possesses the power to absorb the abilities of ancient creatures residing in Vaults, potentially rendering her unstoppable.
The narrative offers a blend of humor, juvenile antics, and larger-than-life characters characteristic of the Borderlands series, maintaining a lighthearted tone throughout. While not all the jokes may resonate with every player, the game’s overall charm is undeniable, ensuring some humor will land with everyone.
Borderlands 3 is often described as “Diablo with guns,” encapsulating a potent fusion of RPG elements and first-person shooting mechanics. Players select one of four classes, each featuring three distinct skill trees for character development. For example, Moze can periodically summon a heavy armored mech similar to Overwatch’s D.Va. The game encourages strategic thinking and experimentation, offering various character builds and weapon synergies. If a chosen path doesn’t work, skills can be reset at the cost of 10% of the in-game currency.
Exploration in Borderlands 3 unveils vast, interconnected maps across different planets. Players are inundated with randomly generated loot, where each gun boasts unique stat modifiers, elemental effects, and abilities. The game’s deep loot system offers variety, but without feeling overwhelmingly complicated. Various factors come into play when building a character, fostering experimentation and adaptability. Borderlands 3 balances depth and accessibility, catering to various playstyles.
Combat is fast-paced and dynamic, with smooth gunplay complemented by motion controls that facilitate aiming accuracy. The introduction of vaulting and sliding adds fluidity to battles, enhancing the overall combat experience. Borderlands 3’s shooting mechanics represent the series’ best iteration, providing satisfying gameplay whether in the fifth or fiftieth hour of play.
Despite its open-world nature, Borderlands 3 doesn’t feature a single continuous environment to explore. Instead, it offers a central hub on Sanctuary, from which players travel to various planets, each housing massive interconnected maps. Quests, monster hunts, strongholds, and hidden chests populate these planets, offering an abundance of content. While some side quests may feel like typical “fetch quests,” others contribute meaningfully to character lore and the game world. The process of taking on quests while exploring offers a soothing, enjoyable experience. Players are consistently rewarded with loot drops and valuable quest rewards.
Borderlands 3 on the Switch excels in offering content-rich and densely packed open-world gameplay. It includes the base campaign and all DLC content released since the game’s initial launch, providing well over a hundred hours of gameplay. Each DLC is contained within its own play area, introducing unique environments, storylines, and experiences. The game’s Switch version offers ample value for players seeking immersive and content-rich open-world adventures.
In terms of performance, Borderlands 3 on the Switch is an impressive feat. The game’s 100+ GB content has been condensed to a mere 23.5 GB with minor visual quality reductions. While the graphics may feature lower-quality textures and less detailed environments compared to other platforms, the game looks exceptional on the Switch’s screen. Despite these sacrifices, the game maintains an uncapped frame rate, providing a smooth and stable experience, even in intense battles. Performance rarely drops below 30 FPS in the heaviest sequences, with the majority of the gameplay occurring around 40-50 FPS.
However, some sacrifices have been made, particularly in the realm of multiplayer. The absence of split-screen co-op means that each player needs an individual Switch and a copy of the game to engage in local or online wireless multiplayer. Additionally, only two players can be in the same world at the same time, as the game does not support four-player squads. While these limitations in multiplayer are disappointing, they are understandable given the hardware constraints of the platform.
In conclusion, Borderlands 3 on the Nintendo Switch is an exceptional port, showcasing Gearbox’s dedication to adapting the game to the handheld platform. The game’s deep loot system, fluid gameplay, engaging storyline, and vast content offering make it a compelling experience, although the reduced multiplayer options may disappoint some players. The smooth performance and impressive visuals, despite minor graphical trade-offs, reaffirm the success of this port. Borderlands 3 on the Switch is a worthwhile investment of time and money, offering a well-rounded gaming experience.
